New CAO for township

WRAY

MUSKOKA LAKES - The Township of Muskoka Lakes welcomed their new CAO with a standing ovation on Tuesday.
Christopher David Wray, who is originally from Newmarket, worked as the CAO of Wawa, Ontario for 13 years. There he was the driving force behind a number of award-winning administrative innovations.
Mayor Alice Murphy and Muskoka Lakes councillors began Tuesday on an exuberant note after filling another one of the staff positions that was left empty through staff migration over the past year.
“We have hired someone with great technical expertise, IT experience, CAO experience and rural urban experience,” Murphy said. “We, as you can tell by our collective mood here, are also very, very thrilled.”
Wray said he is looking forward to working with Muskoka Lakes staff.
“I am keen to lead the application of our collective wisdom towards council’s goals,” he said in a press release.
Wray also has a strong financial background and an appreciation of land use planning process.
“We have basically hired the trifecta: CAO, financial and planning expertise,” Murphy said.
Wray is filling the position of former CAO Walt Schmid who moved on to become the director of public works for the Town of Bracebridge this summer.
Wray’s position begins on Dec. 10.